On July 18, 1987, an Air Tractor AT-301 (registration N3652N) operated by Air Ag, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Hollandale, MN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
After a swath run, the aircraft pulled up to clear power lines. Witnesses reported engine cut out, nose-down pitch and rotation, with power regained just before impact. Investigation found no mechanical discrepancies; conditions not conducive to carb ice, fuel present in lines.
Accident Sequence
The accident occurred after the aircraft completed a swath run. As the pilot pulled up to clear overhead power lines, witnesses observed that the engine lost power. The loss of engine power caused the aircraft to pitch nose-down and begin rotating. Witnesses further noted that the engine briefly regained power just before the aircraft struck the ground.
Investigation
A thorough investigation was conducted. The examination did not reveal any mechanical discrepancies that would have contributed to the accident. Investigators assessed that the atmospheric conditions were not conducive to the formation of carburetor ice. Additionally, fuel was found in the lines leading to the engine at the accident site, indicating that fuel delivery was not interrupted by a mechanical failure.